This Jewish genealogy introduction will show you that there is much evidence remaining to discover about your own family history. You will leave with tools to continue gathering your own family history and with a mind opened to the possibilities ahead. Have you always wondered where your ancestors lived? Just what country was that? What did they do for a living? Why does my family put applesauce on latkes and yours uses sour cream? Perhaps you thought that all of that information is lost forever.

We will start with three sessions, between which you may spend time gathering your family information. It is intended that you will research at the sessions and between the sessions. There are no requirements for this, but you will benefit from the classes through active participation.

I will also provide you with resource material and some personal assistance with your research.

This class is directed to adults and will focus on the immigrant generation of Ashkenazi families. Information will also be presented for Sephardi research. Since it is about family, if you have teenagers who have shown an interest, they may attend with an adult relative. (They seem to be valuable resources for use of the technology, too.)

Assumptions: you are comfortable using computers, you are curious and, preferably, you have a laptop or tablet that you can bring to the class (this last one is not required) for some hands-on help.

Topics include:

• How to gather information
• Basic organizing and use of forms for your research results
• Vital sources for obtaining new data on your family
• What’s Jewish about Jewish genealogy
• Using the major online databases
• Immigration and some basic European geography/history
• Special topics as relevant to your countries of origin
• How to continue your genealogy learning

Taught by Barbara Hershey. This class will take place in Zoom Room Gimel.